TSA Pre✓™ Expedited Screening Begins at Memphis International Airport

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced that TSA Pre✓™ is now available to eligible passengers at Memphis International Airport (MEM). Under TSA Pre✓™ passengers traveling domestically from MEM who are select American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways frequent travelers or members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs are eligible to participate and may receive expedited screening benefits at Checkpoint B.

TSA Pre✓™ is part of the agency’s larger effort to implement risk-based security concepts that enhance security by focusing efforts on travelers considered higher risk and about whom the agency knows less. To date, more than 7.5 million passengers have experienced TSA Pre✓™. By the end of March, TSA Pre✓™ will be available at 40 airports for eligible passengers traveling on Alaska, American, Delta, United and US Airways.

“If we can confirm a person’s identity and learn more about them through information they voluntarily provide, we can expedite the physical screening through TSA Pre✓™,” said TSA Federal Security Director Kevin G. McCarthy. “TSA Pre✓™ enables us to better focus our efforts and resources on the passengers we know the least about.”

Eligible passengers include U.S. citizens flying on participating airlines as well as those who are members of CBP Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS. Canadian citizens traveling domestically in the United States who are members of NEXUS are also qualified to participate in TSA Pre✓™. Individuals interested in participating can apply by visiting www.globalentry.gov.

If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening through the TSA Pre✓™ pre-screening process, information is embedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass. TSA reads the barcode at the designated checkpoint and the passenger may be referred to the TSA Pre✓™ lane where they will undergo expedited screening, which could include being able to leave their shoes, light outerwear and belt on, allowing them to keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in carry-on.

TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening. TSA’s multi-layered approach to security also includes behavior detection officers, explosives-detection systems, canine teams, and federal air marshals, among other measures both seen and unseen.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created in the wake of September 11, 2001, to strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation systems and ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. Today, TSA secures the nation’s airports and screens all commercial airline passengers and baggage. TSA uses a risk-based strategy and works closely with transportation, law enforcement and intelligence communities to set the standard for excellence in transportation security. TSA’s workforce comprises approximately 50,000 frontline officers who screen approximately 1.8 million travelers each day at more than 450 airports nationwide. For more information about TSA, please visit our website at www.tsa.gov.